Earth Moon Motions A B1 1. The Coriolis effect provides evidence that Earth (1) rotates on its axis (2) revolves around the Sun (3) undergoes cyclic tidal changes (4) has a slightly eccentric orbit 9. The diagram below shows Earth s orbit around the Sun. Locations A, B, C, and D represent Earth on the first day of each season. 2. Earth s rate of rotation is approximately (1) 1 per day (3) 180 per day (2) 15 per day (4) 360 per day 3. The spinning of Earth on its axis causes the apparent rising and setting of the (1) Sun, only (2) Sun and the Moon, only (3) Moon and some stars, only (4) Sun, the Moon, and some stars 4. The diagram at right represents the constellation Lyra. Which statement best explains why Lyra is visible to an observer in New York State at midnight in July but not visible at midnight in December? (1) Earth spins on its axis. (2) Earth orbits the Sun. (3) Lyra spins on its axis. (4) Lyra orbits Earth. 5. What time is it in Greenwich, England (at 0 longitude), when it is noon in Massena, New York? (1) 7 a.m. (2) noon (3) 5 p.m. (4) 10 p.m. 6. Which observation provides the best evidence that Earth revolves around the Sun? (1) The constellation Orion is only visible in the night sky for part of the year. (2) The North Star, Polaris, is located above the North Pole for the entire year. (3) The Sun appears to move across Earth s sky at a rate of 15 /hr. (4) The Coriolis effect causes Northern Hemisphere winds to curve to the right. Which location represents March 21? (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 10. Diagram 1 shows the Moon in its orbit at four positions labeled A, B, C, and D. Diagram 2 shows a phase of the Moon as viewed from New York State. At which labeled Moon position would the phase of the Moon shown in diagram 2 be observed from New York State? (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 11. How many days are required for the Moon to go from one full-moon phase to the next full-moon phase when viewed from Earth? (1) 24 (3) 29.5 (2) 27.3 (4) 365 12. Which diagram best represents the size of the Moon, compared to Earth, when drawn to scale? 7. Which motion causes the constellation Orion to be visible at midnight from New York State in winter but not in summer? (1) rotation of Earth (3) revolution of Earth (2) rotation of Orion (4) revolution of Orion 8. The Foucault pendulum provides evidence of Earth s (1) revolution around the Sun in a geocentric solar system (2) revolution around the Sun in a heliocentric solar system (3) rotation on its axis in a geocentric solar system (4) rotation on its axis in a heliocentric solar system 1
Base your answers to questions 13 through 16 on the diagram below, which shows Earth and the Moon in relation to the Sun. Positions A, B, C, and D show the Moon at specific locations in its orbit. Point X is a location on Earth s surface. 18. The diagram below shows an observer on Earth viewing the star Polaris. What is this observer s latitude? (1) 38 N (2) 38 S (3) 52 N (4) 52 S 19. At which location is the altitude of Polaris approximately 42? (1) Niagara Falls (3) Watertown (2) Elmira (4) Massena 13. What is the time of day at point X? (1) 6 a.m. (3) 6 p.m. (2) noon (4) midnight 14. On what date does the line separating day and night pass through Earth s North Pole, as shown in this diagram? (1) December 21 (3) March 21 (2) January 21 (4) June 21 15. A solar eclipse might occur when the Moon is at location (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 16. Which phase of the Moon would be observed on Earth when the Moon is at location A? 20. At which latitude is the Sun directly overhead on certain days of the year? (1) 23.5 N (2) 42 N (3) 66.5 N (4) 90 N 21. An observer recorded the times of three successive high tides at one Earth location as: 7:12 a.m. 7:38 p.m. 8:04 a.m. What was the time of the next high tide? (1) 8:12 p.m. (3) 8:38 p.m. (2) 8:30 p.m. (4) 9:04 p.m. 22. A camera was placed in an open field and pointed toward the northern sky. The lens of the camera was left open for a certain amount of time. The result is shown in the photograph below. The angle of the arc through which two of the stars appeared to move during this time exposure is shown. 17. The diagram below shows an observer measuring the altitude of Polaris. What is the latitude of the observer? (1) 20 N (2) 20 S (3) 70 N (4) 70 S How many hours was the lens left open to produce the photograph? (1) 12 (2) 2 (3) 6 (4) 4 2
Base your answers to questions 23 through 26 on the diagram below, which represents Earth in its orbit around the Sun. The position of Earth on the first day of each season is labeled A, B, C, and D. Base your answers to questions 27 through 29 on the diagram below, which shows a model of Earth s orbit around the Sun. Letters A, B, C, and D represent Earth s position at the beginning of each season. 23. Which diagram correctly shows the directions of Earth s revolution and rotation? 27. Which position of Earth represents the first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere? (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 28. The diagram below shows how Earth is illuminated [lighted] by the Sun as viewed from above the North Pole. 24. At which location are the Sun s noontime rays perpendicular to Earth s surface at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N)? (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 25. What is the approximate rate of Earth s revolution around the Sun? (1) 1 per day (3) 15 per day (2) 1 per year (4) 15 per year 26. Which event is caused by Earth s revolution? (1) the apparent shift in the path of a Foucault pendulum (2) deflection of planetary winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere (3) the apparent rising and setting of the Sun (4) different constellations observed in the night sky throughout the year In which orbital position would Earth be illuminated as shown? (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D 29. How many degrees will the Sun s vertical rays shift on Earth s surface as Earth travels from position C to position D? (1) 15 (2) 23.5 (3) 47 (4) 365 30. The photographs below show the surface of the Moon as seen from Earth over an 80-minute period during a single night. Which motion is responsible for this changing appearance of the Moon? (1) The Moon moves into the shadow of Earth. (2) The Moon moves into the shadow of the Sun. (3) The Sun moves into the shadow of Earth. (4) The Sun moves into the shadow of the Moon. 3
31. Which arrangement of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth results in the highest high tides, and the lowest low tides on Earth? (Diagrams are not drawn to scale.) 35. Which diagram best shows the location of Polaris relative to the observer? 32. The diagram below shows the Moon as it revolves around Earth. The numbered locations represent different positions of the Moon in its orbit. 36. Which graph best shows the altitude of the Sun, as measured by the observer located at 42 N, at various times on December 21? Which Moon phase would be seen by an observer in New York State when the Moon is at position 2? Base your answers to questions 33 through 37 on the diagram below, which represents the Sun s apparent paths and the solar noon positions for an observer at 42 N latitude on December 21, September 23, and June 21. 37. The model below shows the Sun s apparent path across the sky for an observer in New York State. 33. In which direction will sunrise occur on June 21? (1) north of due west (3) south of due west (2) north of due east (4) south of due east 34. How many hours occurred between sunrise and solar noon on September 23? (1) 6 (2) 8 (3) 12 (4) 24 On which day of the year was this path observed? (1) March 21 (3) September 21 (2) June 21 (4) December 21 4
Base your answers to questions 38 and 39 on the graph below, which shows two days of tidal data from a coastal location in the northeastern United States. 38. The change in the tides as shown on the graph is primarily the result of (1) Earth s rotation and the Moon s revolution (2) Earth s rotation and revolution (3) the Moon s rotation and Earth s revolution (4) the Moon s rotation and revolution 39. If the pattern shown continues, the most likely height and time for the first high tide on day 3 would be (1) 2.2 meters at 4 a.m. (2) 2.3 meters at 4 a.m. (3) 2.2 meters at 5 a.m. (4) 2.3 meters at 5 a.m. Earth and Moon Motions B2 - C Base your answers to questions 1 and 2 on the passage and time zones map shown below. Time Zones In 1883, Earth was divided into 24 time zones. The United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) has four time zones, which are indicated by different shadings on the map. Each zone is roughly centered on lines of longitude that are 15 apart. These lines are shown as dashed lines on the map. Most locations within a time zone have the same time. This time is called standard time. As you move to the west, the time in each zone is one hour earlier than the previous time zone. 1. When it is 1 a.m. in New York City, what time is it in Denver? [1] 2. Explain, in terms of Earth s rotation, why the time zones are 15 of longitude apart. [1] 5
Base your answers to questions 3 through 6 on the diagram below, which shows Earth as viewed from above the North Pole. The nighttime side of Earth has been shaded. The Moon is shown at eight positions in its orbit around Earth. The name of each Moon phase is indicated at each Moon position. The dark portion of each Moon position has not been shaded. 3. On the diagram below shade the portion of the Moon that is in darkness to show the last quarter phase as viewed from New York State. [1] 4. Explain what causes the Moon s phases when viewed from Earth. [1] 5. Which Moon phase occurs approximately one week after the New Moon phase? [1] 6. Explain why the same side of the Moon always faces Earth. [1] 7. The diagram below shows the position of sunrise along the horizon for a period of time from September 10 until December 21, as seen by an observer near Binghamton, New York. State one reason why the position of sunrise changes during this time period. [1] 6
Base your answers to questions 8 through 12 on the diagram at right which represents a model of the sky above a vertical post in New York State. The diagram shows the position of the Sun at solar noon on September 23 and the position of Polaris above the horizon. 8. On the diagram draw the apparent path of the Sun across the sky on September 23 from sunrise to sunset. [1] 9. On the diagram draw the shadow of the vertical above post as it would appear at solar noon on September 23. [1] 10. Place an X on the diagram to indicate the altitude of the Sun at solar noon on June 21. [1] 11. How many degrees will the Sun appear to move across the sky from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on June 21? [1] 12. At which latitude is this vertical post located? Include the unit and compass direction in your answer. [1] Base your answers to questions 13 and 14 on the diagram blow which represents the sky above an observer in Elmira, New York. Angular distances above the horizon are indicated. The Sun s apparent path for December 21 is shown. 13. On March 21, the altitude of the noon Sun in Elmira is 48. On the diagram to the left draw the Sun s apparent path for March 21, as it would appear to the observer. Be sure your path begins and ends at the correct positions on the horizon and indicates the correct altitude of the noon Sun. [1] 14. On what date of the year does the maximum duration of insolation usually occur at Elmira? [1] 15. The diagram to the right shows the Moon s orbital path and Earth as viewed from space. The points on Earth indicate two locations where high ocean tides are occurring. Place an X on the Moon s orbital path to show where the Moon could be located when these high tides are produced. [1] 7
Base your answers to questions 16 through 18 on the passage and map below and the tide table on the next page. The map shows the tidal range (the difference between the highest and lowest tides) in meters for the Bay of Fundy, Chignecto Bay, and the Minas Basin. The table shows the times of high and low tides for Hopewell Cape for August 21 and 22, 2005. The Bay of Fundy has the Highest Tides on Earth The unique shape of the Bay of Fundy contributes to the extremely high ocean tides experienced there. Frequently described as funnel shaped, the bay gradually becomes more narrow and shallow to the northeast where it splits to form Chignecto Bay and the Minas Basin. The highest tides of the Bay of Fundy are found within these fingers of the bay and are caused by the incoming tides encountering seaward-moving river currents as the bay narrows. The tide height is also affected by the amount of time it takes for high tide to flood the bay. This time is nearly identical from one high tide to the next. 16. Describe two characteristics of the Bay of Fundy that cause the extremely high tides to occur at Hopewell Cape. [1] 17. On the grid below plot with an X the height of the water for each time listed on the tide table. Connect the centers of the Xs with a smooth, curved line. [1] 18. Using the tide table for Hopewell Cape, calculate the time difference between two consecutive high tides. Express your answer to the nearest minute. [1] 8
Base your answers to questions 19 through 21 on the diagram below, which shows the Moon at positions A through H in its orbit around Earth. 19. Which letters represent the two positions of the Moon when the least difference between the levels of high and low ocean tides occur on Earth? [1] 20. How many days does it take for the Moon to complete one cycle of phases as viewed from Earth? [1] 21. At which Moon position could a lunar eclipse occur? [1] Base your answers to questions 22 through 24 on the diagram below, which shows the parts of Earth experiencing daylight and darkness as Earth orbits the Sun. Letters A, B, C, D, and E are positions in Earth s orbit as viewed from above the Northern Hemisphere. 22. Approximately how many days does it take Earth to move from position A to position C in its orbit? [1] 23. Which season is the Northern Hemisphere experiencing when Earth is at position E? [1] 24. On the grid below place Xs to show the duration of insolation at the Arctic Circle (66.5 N) as Ear th orbits the Sun at positions A, B, C, and D. Connect the Xs with a line. [1] 9
Base your answers to questions 25 through 28 on the data table below and on the graph in your answer booklet. The data table shows the maximum altitude and phase of the Moon observed above the southern horizon on certain dates during January and February at a New York State location. The line on the graph in your answer booklet shows the altitude of the noontime Sun observed during the same time period at the same New York State location. 25. On the grid below plot with an X the maximum altitude of the Moon for each date shown on the data table. [1] 26. The multiple-exposure photograph below, taken on February 3, shows a total solar eclipse in the middle of the photograph. The maximum altitude of the Sun on this date was 34 above the southern horizon at this Ne w York State location. Based on the data table, explain why this total solar eclipse occurred on February 3. [1] 10
27. The diagram below shows the Moon s orbit around Earth. Place an X on the orbit to represent the Moon s position on February 18. [1] 28. Assuming that February had 28 days, on which date in March did the next full Moon occur? [1] Base your answers to questions 29 through 31 on the diagram below, which represents a model of Earth s orbit. Earth is closest to the Sun at one point in its orbit (perihelion) and farthest from the Sun at another point in its orbit (aphelion). The Sun and point B represent the foci of this orbit. 29. Explain why Earth s orbit is considered to be elliptical. [1] 30. Describe the change that takes place in the gravitational attraction between Earth and the Sun as Earth moves from perihelion to aphelion and back to perihelion during one year. [1] 31. Describe how the shape of Earth s orbit would differ if the Sun and focus B were farther apart. [1] 11
Base your answers to questions 32 through 34 on the information below about a solar eclipse that will occur on August 21, 2017. The latitude and longitude coordinates for the movement of the center of the Moon s shadow across Earth s surface are given in the table. 32. On the graph below plot with an X the path of the center of the Moon s shadow for each position given in the data table. Connect the Xs with a smooth, curved line. Shadow position number 1 has been plotted on the graph. [1] 33. The path of the Moon s shadow will be approximately 100 kilometers wide. On the graph in your answer booklet, shade the area between positions 1 and 2 to show the width of the Moon s shadow on Earth. [1] 34. On the diagram below place an X on the Moon s orbit to show the Moon s position during a solar eclipse. [1] 12